This is a blog that I started in october 2010, mainly for discussing my ideas on the economy, taxation and politics. Please add comments - I'll do my best to reply. If you are new, I would recommend watching one of my YouTube presentations (in French or English). You can download a fully indexed pdf version (over 800 pages) here.

I understand that the proposals for a Basic Income are similar to those proposed by organisations like the Citizen's Income Trust and Basic Income UK. According to an earlier report in the Guardian , both organisations argue "that the scheme would actually cost less than our means-tested benefits
system. It would be paid for by the withdrawal of income-contingent
benefits and lowering the threshold at which people people in work start
to pay income tax. Some supporters also call for a land value tax. This
would mean every citizen could benefit from a basic income of £7,000
(more for pensioners, and those with severe disabilities)."

And in an article in the New Statesman last summer, which talked about the Citizen's Income Trust, suggested that the "annual spend on benefits should be distributed equally
among all citizens, regardless of their income or employment status.
Under their proposals, 0-24 year olds would receive £56.25 per week,
25-64 year olds would receive £71 per week and those 65 and over would
receive £142.70 per week.

Analysing figures from the 2012-13 financial year, the cost of such a
scheme is projected at around £276bn per year – just £1bn more than the
annual welfare budget that year –making the implementation of a
citizen’s income close to revenue and cost neutral.Disability and housing benefits would remain intact, but the scheme
would replace all other benefits including child benefits, income
support and jobseeker’s allowance, national insurance and state
pensions. Included in the current annual spend figures is £8bn in
Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) administration and £2bn in HMRC
tax credit administration and write-offs."

There had been earlier reports that the UK's Green Party were thinking about this. For instance, a report on buzzfeed said that "the exact level of the income has not been set, pending manifesto
costing, but a Green party source said it would likely be higher than
existing social security payments. Jobseeker’s Allowance is currently
£72.40 a week for adults, or £3,765 a year."

This is all very encouraging. I just wish that the Green Parties in France could be so inspired.